CONSULTANTS have been chosen to help Ledbury Town Council develop its Neighbourhood Plan.

Foxley Tagg Planning Limited will work with the town council to "shape the future of this vibrant and beautiful town".

Drawing up the plan is likely to take about 12 months, after which the community can vote on whether to adopt the idea.

“The Neighbourhood Plan will produce a document that the local community has helped to shape, which will influence the future of their town," said Cllr Bob Barnes, chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party.

"The Plan will include planning policies on such matters as housing, retail, business, transport and community facilities and will be read alongside other planning policy documents such as the Herefordshire Core Strategy.

"Once the Plan has been produced, consulted upon and independently examined a referendum of all parishioners will be held to determine whether the plan should be adopted."

He said the town council is looking for volunteers to help produce it.

"If you would like to get involved in this wonderful opportunity please contact us at the town council offices," he said.

"We will be pleased to advise you on how your support can help during this process."

The Plan would mean, if approved, that any new development in Ledbury would have to comply with the report.

Consultation events will be held throughout the town in the coming weeks.

“Both I and the whole team at Foxley Tagg are very excited about our involvement with this community led process which will shape the future of this vibrant and beautiful town," said Sally Tagg, managing director at Cheltenham-based Foxley Tagg.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to make a real difference to the future of Ledbury."